Department of Defense (DoD) spending on healthcare for military personnel and retirees has, of late, received significant criticism. Due largely to Congressional actions, healthcare costs have been climbing, and three successive Secretaries of Defense have identified these costs as the most significant item beyond their control. This research service uses the recently released 2014 Presidential budget submission to examine DoD’s healthcare cost structure and future framework. The base year is 2013; the study period is 2012 to 2018. These years provide comparative values for the 2014 budget.

Department of Defense (DoD) spending on healthcare for military personnel and retirees has, of late, received significant criticism. Due largely to Congressional actions, healthcare costs have been climbing, and three successive Secretaries of Defense have identified these costs as the most significant item beyond their control. This research service uses the recently released 2014 Presidential budget submission to examine DoD’s healthcare cost structure and future framework. The base year is 2013; the study period is 2012 to 2018. These years provide comparative values for the 2014 budget. Read Less